Firefighters from approximately 25 fire departments from as far north as Austin and as far south as Corpus Christi came to Refugio Saturday to pay homage to John Gill, 58, of Cypress, a lifelong fireman and former Refugio resident.

Following a service conducted by the Rev. John Alsbrooks at First United Methodist Church, the firemen transported their fallen brother to Oakwood Cemetery in the back of a pumper truck.

The procession included fire engines from large and small fire departments. With sirens silent and lights flashing, the trucks filed into the cemetery, while a lone bagpiper in full Scottish dress stood in wait. A gentle breeze lifted the numerous flags on veterans’ graves as the firemen in fire trucks passed, as if in a final salute to the life-long fireman.

Gill grew up in Refugio and was a junior fireman with the Refugio Volunteer Fire Department in the late 1960s. He graduated Refugio High School where he played on the 1968 state co-championship team. He joined the United States Air Force and after his military service, he spent his life serving the firefighters across Texas.

“John got into the business of selling fire equipment,” said Don Pullin, Refugio fire chief. “He was a smart person with a lot of knowledge about all kinds of firefighting equipment. You could always trust what he told you.”

Gill was laid to rest in a grave beside his parents, James B. and Mona Lisa Gill and his older brother Jimmy.

“John really cared for the people,” Pullin said. “He helped people and he was well liked among the fire community.”

Gill is survived by his wife, Angela and two daughters, Jessica and Jennifer, all of Cypress.